Title
Consider an ordinance amending Chapter 46, Code of Ordinances (2010 Edition), regarding nonresidential building design standards. (Second Reading)
Body
At first reading on March 9, Council discussed limiting stucco to 25% of the total exterior wall finish on buildings not made of concrete tilt-wall in the C-1, C-1a, and PF-3 zoning districts. The ordinance has been amended to reflect this discussion.
This is the first code amendment City Council will consider at this meeting regarding the Round Rock Zoning and Development Code.
The creation of the Development Code provided Planning and Development Services staff the opportunity to compare the city’s nonresidential building design standards with those of our peer cities. Subsequent research showed that Round Rock has fallen behind each city with regards to exterior materials standards and building articulation standards. In response, this amendment creates a masonry standard similar to one established in other cities without closing the door on providing flexibility for unique architecture and new or emerging materials that aren’t explicitly listed in the standards.
Building exteriors in the C-1, C-1a, and PF-3 districts will require a minimum 75% brick, natural stone, simulated stone, stucco, or split-face or stone-face concrete masonry units (CMU). The remaining 25% can be fiber cement siding, other finishes of CMU, architectural steel or metal, or glass with steel framing (except for buildings 3 stories or taller, which can have up to 50% glass with steel framing). Alternately, the remaining 25% can consist of a new/emerging material if justified in writing by the developer and approved by the director. If stucco is proposed to exceed 75%, a brick or stone wainscot will be required to provide visual interest. Also, a unique architectural style not accommodated by the regulatory language can be approved by the director. EIFS (Exterior Insulating Finishing Systems) will no longer be permitted due to concerns with its durability and water resistance.
P&Z Recommendation: The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of these amendments at their meeting on December 21, 2016. When staff first brought the topic to P&Z in October, the masonry requirement was only 66%. After seeing comparisons with Round Rock’s peer cities, the Commission elected to increase the requirement to 75%, as it appears today. Other changes made by P&Z include allowing CMU with other finishes across the remaining 25% as well as clarifying the allowance for new or emerging products. Additionally, building articulation standards were revised during the P&Z process after the Commission encouraged staff to meet with a local architect to address some of his concerns.